Autism therapists in Fort Walton Beach, Florida FL
Find experienced Autism therapists in Fort Walton Beach who provide Autism testing, evaluations, and therapy. Our directory features detailed therapist profiles so you can compare qualifications, specialties, and treatment approaches to find the provider that’s right for you.
Catherine Quiring
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MA, LMHC, LPC, LCPC
I have level 1 Autism (high masking, non-stereotypical/female presentation) and understand what it feels like to live as a neurodivergent person in a neurotypical world. I love so many things about being autistic, but it is harder to get by in this world with our limitations. I help autistic folx work with their limitations, and find ways to support yourself rather than trying to mask or change yourself. I have a host of neuroaffirming supports in addition to 1:1 therapy, such as a sensory support workbook, poetic exploration of what if feels like to be neurodivergent, assessments, and a neurosparkly hangout.
17 Years Experience
In-Person Near Fort Walton Beach, FL
Online in Fort Walton Beach, FL Florida
Florida Acupuncture and Counseling, Inc.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC; AP
At Florida Acupuncture and Counseling, we believe that every mind is unique and deserves to be supported with empathy, respect, and personalized care. Our team specializes in working with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum—including those with Asperger’s—offering holistic services that promote emotional balance, sensory regulation, and overall well-being.
Through integrative therapies such as mental health counseling, acupuncture, and massage therapy, we help neurodivergent individuals navigate challenges with anxiety, social interaction, focus, and daily transitions. Our safe, inclusive environment empowers clients and their families to build on strengths, improve communication, and thrive in their own authentic ways.
Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, we're here to walk alongside you with compassion and expertise.
7 Years Experience
Online in Fort Walton Beach, FL Florida
Emily Stone
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, MDiv, PhD, LMFT-S
Autism: Navigating the Neuro-Affirming Path
For Individuals and Neuro-Distinct Couples
In a world designed for neurotypical sensory and social processing, living on the spectrum often feels like an endless exercise in translation. My practice provides a space where Autism is not viewed as a deficit to be cured, but a unique neuro-type to be understood and accommodated. Whether you are navigating your own late-diagnosed discovery or are part of a couple where one partner is neurodivergent, we work to build a life that honors your nervous system.
For the Individual: From Masking to Authenticity
Chronic "masking"—the effort to appear neurotypical—is one of the primary drivers of burnout. Together, we work to identify your unique sensory and cognitive profile so you can move from surviving to thriving.
Managing Overwhelm: We identify the specific environmental and social triggers that lead to sensory overwhelms before they escalate.
Melt Downs & Shut Downs: We develop compassionate strategies for the moments when the nervous system becomes overloaded. Whether it’s an externalized melt down or an internalized shut down, we focus on safety and recovery rather than shame.
Energy Accounting: Learning how to budget your "social and cognitive spoons" to prevent the deep exhaustion of autistic burnout.
For the Couple: Bridging the Neuro-Distinct Gap
When one partner is neurotypical and the other is autistic, the "relational system" can often fall into cycles of misunderstanding. I help couples move past the "double empathy problem" and build a shared language.
Decoding the Shut Down: Helping the neurotypical partner understand that a shut down is not a withdrawal of love, but a physiological need for regulation.
Communication Systems: Moving away from "hinting" and toward direct, explicit communication that reduces anxiety for both partners.
Shared Regulation: Creating a "sensory-safe" home environment where both partners' needs are respected without one person's comfort coming at the cost of the other's.
A Systems-Rooted Approach
Leveraging my background in Systems Theory and Attachment, I look at how the external world—workplaces, family expectations, and social constructs—impacts your neurodivergent experience. You aren't "broken"; you are a different kind of "wired," and you deserve a relationship and a life that reflects that.
21 Years Experience
Online in Fort Walton Beach, FL Florida (Online Only)
Shannon Gorres
Life Coach, MDiv, MA
Many of my clients who have autism appreciate my ability to communicate clearly, give options, and not take it personally if you disagree with me. I'm calm and transparent, here to appreciate and support how each person navigates their world. Many of my clients with autism appreciate my invitations to get to know their feelings- without pressure to have any certain type of experience.
11 Years Experience
Online in Fort Walton Beach, FL Florida
Dr. Ylenia Martinez
Counselor/Therapist, PsyD
Autism is not something to “fix”; it is a different way of processing the world that deserves respect, not pathologizing. Drawing on my background as a special education teacher and therapist, I offer a neurodiversity‑affirming space where your sensory needs, communication style, and routines are understood rather than judged. Together, we can work on burnout, masking, and relationship stress while also honoring your strengths, stims, interests, and need for predictability and clear communication.
6 Years Experience
Online in Fort Walton Beach, FL Florida
Autism therapists in Fort Walton Beach, Florida Statistics
Autism therapists in Fort Walton Beach, Florida average 15 years of experience and charge around $203 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (68%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (45%), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (36%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$203
Accept insurance
38%
Offer sliding scale
32%
Gender ID
| 57% |
Female |
|
| 26% |
Male |
|
| 9% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 8% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 64% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 36% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 68% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 45% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 36% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 35% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 33% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 32% | Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) |
| 32% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
Ages Served
| 97% | Adult |
| 80% | Young Adult |
| 55% | Teen |
| 52% | Senior |
| 38% | Children |
Client Focus
| 56% | Women |
| 52% | LGBTQ+ |
| 39% | Men |
| 38% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 32% | Black / African American |